PAUL Sloothaak has switched careers from shop fitter to pastry chef.
He opened Village Way Cafe in Pakenham in July last year with wife Christina, who has worked in the hospitality industry for the past 15 years.
They were thrilled to receive the inaugural People’s Choice Award at the Casey Cardinia Business Awards.
“We really love you and appreciate what you’ve done for us, Jose,” Christina told head chef Jose Li.
She also thanked her loyal customers.
“This could not have been possible without your nomination and votes,” she said.
Christina’s family back in Indonesia all own restaurants or cafes.
“I’ve always been interested in cooking,” Paul said.
“We were looking for a cafe for a while – probably three or four years, actually.
“Nothing really came up until we saw this one here.
“We could see the potential here.
“When we first got here, I changed the shop.
“I changed all the lights, because they had the big fluorescent lights. I changed the front counter.
“There was no kitchen in the back so we put a kitchen in the back.”
Paul concedes it took him a while to adjust to the fast-paced world of food service, but he now takes every aspect in his stride.
“I float and I do everything – do the dishes, serve the food, help the chef…” he said.
“And all the desserts there, I make them. We don’t buy any cakes in.”
About 95 per cent of their sauces are home-made, too, by Jose.
“We poached him when we bought the cafe,” Paul said.
“Our hollandaise sauce is made every single day.
“Once people come here, have breakfast on a weekend… all our customers that come in on a weekend are all regular customers.”
Jose designed the menu and changes things up every few months.
“I try to keep it seasonal,” he said.
Consistency is also a focus for the chef, who has worked in the industry for 12 years.
The Sloothaaks have added a second chef and a barista to their team and call in casuals when they need a hand.
“From when we started to now, we’ve probably jumped 60 per cent in income,” he said.
“This area is building up.”
But he also credits Christina for the growth. She learns customers’ regular orders, welcomes them with a smile and makes them feel at home.
“Chris is a very good people person,” he said.
